Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida) is pleased to announce the promotion of Ken Truitt to Chief Operating Officer (COO). He previously served as the Tribe’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer. He spent the last year working closely with former COO Corrine Garza to ensure a smooth transition upon her retirement.
As COO, Truitt oversees the Tribal Operations department and provides direct oversight of the following departments: Business & Economic Development, Finance, Head Start, Information Technology, Native Lands & Resources, Property Management, Public Safety, Tribal Transportation, and the Vocational Training & Resource Center. He is also responsible for managing and protecting the Tribe’s assets, and provides administrative support and recommendations to the President in all areas of tribal executive management including policy development.
“I am very pleased with the transition process that brought Ken on board a year ago as Deputy COO,” said President Richard Peterson. “This process was seamless and guaranteed he had the opportunity to thoroughly familiarize himself with the governmental and organizational structure of the tribe as well as its mission and values. With Ken’s background and qualifications, I am looking forward to working with him as we continue to move the tribe forward and improve services and opportunities for our tribal citizens.”
Truitt graduated from Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law with emphasis in Federal Indian Law and is a member of the Alaska Bar Association. He served more than seven years as general counsel for the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) and formerly served as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Alaska, Director of the Division of the Alaska Pioneers Homes, and in various legislative staff roles.
“I am honored and humbled to be able to serve the tribe in this new role,” said Truitt. “I am especially thankful to the president and my immediate predecessor for selecting me for this position. Corrine’s tireless work and the president’s vision for the future have created a tribe poised to grow and continue to create opportunities and prosperity for its citizens, this region and the state. I am excited for the future.”
Truitt was born and raised in Sitka. His parents are Dr. Gilbert Truitt (Wooshkeetaan clan) and Shirley Truitt. Truitt is Raven, L’uknax.ádi (Coho Salmon) and is a shareholder of Sealaska and Shee Atika Inc. He is married to Charlotte Truitt and together they have four children – Madison, Marissa, Sydney, and Elena.
